Exercising device



July 12, 1949..

' I EXERGISING DEVICE Filed March 6, 1946 I INVENTOR. Job/9 filo alt,

BY E v ATTORN Ys;

Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE EXERfiISING DEVICEJohn. Bidak, Detroit, Mich.

Application March 6, 1946, Serial No. 652,345

3 Claims. '1!

This invention relates to improvements in exercising devices.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an exercisingdevice primarily intended to exercise the muscles of hands, wrists andforearms without appreciable fatigue to the shoulder muscles.

I am aware that heretofore it has been proposed to exercise hand, wristand forearm muscles by holding a weight attached exercising device atarms elngth. In devices of this sort, which are now in use, the shouldermusscles tire sooner than the muscles of the forearms, wrists and handsdue to the effort required to hold the weight at arms length in front ofthe exerciser for the duration of the exercise. As a result, theindividual is compelled to rest and thereby loses much of the value ofexercising the muscles of hand, wrist and fore arms. To eliminate this Ipropose to utilize a shaft of a predetermined diameter to be held in thehands of the exerciser, upon which a drum of appreciably larger diameteris placed and upon which is attached a weight suspended cord. In Windingthe cord upon the drum vigorous exercise is given the hands, wrists andforearm muscles without appreciable shoulder fatigue.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear in thefollowing detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, andwherein similar reference characters designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved exercising device inthe hands of an operator.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view normal to the shaft of the drumshowing the weighted cord partially wound thereon.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the improved exercising device.

It is understood that this exercising device may be made as simple andinexpensive as possible, but if desired, it may be made of expensivematerials. In the main I prefer to provide a shaft H) of a predeterminedlength and diameter having a drum ll keyed therewith upon which aflexible cord 12 may be wound; the latter having weight means I3 at theend thereof.

The shaft Ill may be made of wood, plastic, metal or other material ofpredetermined length and diameter.

The drum I I may consist of discs [5 and IE centrally apertured andkeyed as by glueing or in any other manner in predetermined spacedrelation upon the shaft In so as to leave hand hold portions 20 and 2|projecting at opposite sides of the discs l5 and I6 respectively. Thediscs I5 and H5 at equal radial distances from the axis of the shaft [0have attached therewith rungs Or pins 25 which may be socketed and keyedin the discs l5 and I6 in any approved manner. These pins or rungs 25form an annular arrangement upon which the cord I2 is wound. The lattermay be secured to one of the rungs 25 as by tying thereto, or it may bediametrically secured as shown at 3!), in Fi re 2 of he win to the shaftbetween the discs [5 and I6 and threaded therefrom to the exterior ofthe rungs so that it may be wound thereon.

The weight arrangement 13 may consist of a conventional supporting hookor member 35 upon which weights 36 of detachable nature may be secured,so that the total weight may vary to suit the individual who isexercising.

As an example of the benefits to be achieved with the present exercisingdevice, so far as exercising and development of hand, wrist and armmuscles are concerned, if the diameter of the drum is ten inches, aweight of live pounds supported upon the cord. will provide as much workfor the hands, wrists and forearm muscles as will a weight oftwenty-five pounds on the standard exercising arrangements of the priorart. Therefore the hand, wrist and forearm muscles will secure themaximum exercising benefits without fatigue to the shoulder muscles.

It is within the contemplation of my invention to support the extremeends of the shafts 20 and 2| in a floor supporting standard so theexercising device can be used without any muscular fatigue whatsoever ofthe shoulder muscles.

It will be noted that the rungs 25 are placed inwardly from the outerperipheral edges of the discs 15 and i6. This leaves flanged portionswhich will prevent the cord from slipping off the exercising drum.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be madeto the form of invention herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a muscular exercising device the combination of a drum-like memberincluding side disc portions and a peripheral arrangement of rungsconnected with and extending therebetween, hand hold extensionsconnected with opposite sides of the drum, a cord connected with thedrum and windable upon said rungs, and variable weight means for saidcord.

2. In a muscular exercising device the combination of a shaft, alaterally flanged drum keyed upon the shaft between the ends thereof,the ends of the shaft providing hand hold portions at opposite sides ofand centrally of the drum, the drum defining a channel with flanges atopposite sides thereef, a flexible cord windable upon said drum betweensaid flanges, and weight of the drum of a nature to permit the graspingof the same in the two hands of a user, the drum at the sidesthereofbeing free of projections which would interfere with the winding of thedrum thru rotation thereof in the hands of the user.

' JOHN BIDAK.

REFERENCES CITED The following refere-nlces are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES EATENTS Number Name 7 Date 1,292,361 O-bermiller Jan. 21,1919 1,658,108 Vaughn Feb. 7, 1928

